Safety-razor.



No. 896,158. PATENTED AUG. 18, 1908.

R. H. REED. I

SAFETY RAZOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27,1907. RENEWED APR. 15, 1908.

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In ventor: flzchard/Zfieed;

By his Attorney RICHARD H. REED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE PATENT OWNERSHIP COMPANY,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SAFETY-RAZOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 18, 1908.

Application filed May 27, 1907, Serial No. 375,810. Renewed April 15, 1908. Serial No. 427,211.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. REED, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Razors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the form of safety razors in which the blade is readily removable, so that another blade can be: substituted for the blade when dull, or it can be replaced after sharpening.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved form of such a razor comprising practically three members} viz. a holder, a handle and the blade; wherein no parts need to be removed for the purpose of inserting or removing the blade.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of adjustable handle, that can be easily and quickly locked in .dif-

ferent angular positions of adjustment rela-.

tive tothe holder and blade.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby when the blade is locked in position, its two cutting edges will be differently positioned or offset from their respective cooperative guard ortions; that is, one of the cutting edges wi be located close to its guard portion, for a close shave, while the other cutting edge will be further removed from its cooperating guard portion, for the purpose of a moderate or medium shave. The lengths of the guards are also operating blade edge.

(lifl'erent, the guard that is further offset from the blade edge, is madelonger than the other guard, or projects further from the guard edge than does the other guard from its co In the accompanying drawing represent. ng an embodiment of my invention Figure l is a vertical middle section, the intermediate portion of the handle being removed. Fig. 2

is a similar view of the guard portion and blade. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the holder, showing the first step in the act of inserting the blade. Fig. 4 is a similar view with the blade in its locked posi tion. Fig. '5 shows in perspective one form of blade to be used in my invention. Fig. 6 1s a view similar to Fig.4, but enlar ed, with the intermediate portions :of the b ade and holder removed. Fig. 7 is-a plan view of the blade and holder, the blade being partly broken away. Fig. 8 shows in perspective one form of spring used, and Fig. 9 shows in locked in one certain predetermined position,

and no adjustment from such position is provided. But the holder engaging portions are so positioned, that when the blade is secured to the holder, and the guard portions 16 and 17 are so arranged relative to the res ective 1 cutting edges 18 and 19 adjacent t ereto, that the guard cooperating withone cutting edge will be positioned or offset from such cutting edge, differently from the relative position "of the other guard with its adjacent cutting edge. In other words,.one cutting edge is} arranged closer to its guard than is the other cutting edge, whereby one side will give a closer shave than the other side. And the blade being symmetrical, it can be turned end for end, or else inverted, so that the blade edges will be interchanged relative .to the guards. The respective guards are also arranged to have different lengths relative to the respectivecutting edges, that is, the guard for the blade edge lying close thereto, for, the close shave, will have a certain len th, while the guard for-the other cutting e ge,

that is ofiset a greater distance from this 4 blade edge than the other guard is offset from its blade'edge, will be'given a greater length.

In the present construction, the blade 20 isvprovided with lugs 21 and 22 at its ends respectively; and is also provided with an aperture adjacent one or both ends; being shown as provided with apertures or openings 23 and 24, symmetrically arranged relative to the adjacent ends.

The end members are providedwith overhanging lip portions that roject towards each other. The end mem or 13 is shown as provided with spaced lip members formed by projections 25 and 26, that are undercut at 27, and the lip members are separated by a distance equal to the width of the hig 22 so that the latter will snugly fit therebetween rear wall of the slot.

the lip members, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The other end member 14 is similarly constructed, having lip' members. 28 and 29 spaced equal to the width of the lug 21', and undercut by a slot 30 for the entrance of the end portions of the blade on opposite sides of the lug 21, as indicated. in Figs. '4 and.6. But the distance apart of the lip members 25 and 26, from their respective opposite lip members 28 and 29, is made equal to, or referably somewhat less than, the len th 0 the blade on each side of the'lugs-21 an 22. By reason of such arrangement, the blade can be inserted with its end portions-engaged by the walls of the slots 27 and 30 respectively', by the operation of first inserting one end of the blade, placed atqa slight angle as in Fig. 3, to cause the endportions to ass into the slots 30-, then swinging the b ade down until its other end lug 22 engages the end member 13, as in Fig. 4; and then mov ing the blade endwise towards the end member 13, to cause .the end portions on each side of the lug 22, to enter the slot 27. The slot 30 is made of considerable d e th, so that the latter endwise movement still retain the overhanging 'ortion of'the li memberv in engagement with the end portion of the blade, and preferably the blade is shifted until its end adjacent the lu 22 strikes the In this position, as indicated in Figs. 4, 6 and 7 the blade is secured from lateral movement by engagement of the side faces of the lugs 21 and 22 with the opposin faces of the respective adjacent lip mem ers, as indicatedm Fig.

7. The blade is also prevented from move ment in a direction transverse to its plane, by its being seated on the bottom wall of the slots 27 and 30 and ,byitsupfper face at the ends engaging the top wall 0 the slots.

Resilient means are provided for yieldably retaining the blade against endwise move-.

ment tending to dislodge it in the manner in which it was inserted. In the construction illustrated, a spring 31 is secured to the holder, preferably riveted to the end 14, and curved to extend'vertically upward in its normal position a short distance removed from the end wall 14, as shown in Fig. 3; the spring being shown separately in Fig. 8.

In the o eration of inserting the blade as .just descri ed, the aperture 23 will have the end of the spring 31 roject into it as indicated in Fig. 3, and the further endwise movement of the end of" the blade into the slot 30, will flex the spring, as indicated in Fig. 4. Then the downward movement of the blade takes place. and its other end 'is inserted into the slot portion 27 by its reverse endwise movement, that will be assisted by the reaction of the spring; and the latter will serve to press the end portion of the blade on I each side of the lug 22, into abutment with 'the rear wall of the slot portion 27. The

blade is prevented from further endwise movement by such abutment, while the resiliency of the spring will resist endwise movement of the blade in the op osite direction, thereby serving to retain th locked osition. The two end members of thehol er being made substantially similar with exception of the additional spring member, and the blade having its end portions symmetrical, the end having. the aperture 24 may be first inserted, andthe blade locked to the holder in precisely the same manner. Thereby the blade is reversible endwise, or can be reversed by turning it upside down. The top face 45 of the end wall 14 is beveled outwardly as shown, and the opposite wall of the li portion 29-is similarly eveled or in cline to facilitate the insertion of the blade in the inclined position as indicated in Fig. 3.

The torwall of the end members 13 and 14, engaged y the lug portions 21 and 22 respectivel is in alinement with the bottom wall of t e slot ortions 25, 26, and 28, 29, respectively l These Walls form stop portions on whichthe blade rests, and determine its position relative to the guard portions; the

lade beingalways secured on these walls,

its osition relative to the holder member is pre etermined when the holder is constructed. Butthe guard members 16 and 17 are not symmetrically constructed or arranged. They are preferably formed comb-like, and the guard 17 is spaced or oflset relative tothe cutting edge 18, a less distance than the e blade in this I guard 16 is spaced or ofiset relative to the cutting edge 19; such distances being-measured vertically, or in a direction per endicular to the lane of the blade, as s own in Fi s. 1. an 2., From this construction, it w'l, be seen that a close shave may be had on the side of the razor of the guard 16, while a medium shave will result from the side .17

being'used. And if the edge of the blade adjacent the side 17 becomes dull from use the blade can be taken out, and inverted or reversed, and inserted with the other cutting edge adjacent the guard 17.

I have further discovered that in the two instances where the cutting edges are respectively positioned at different distances removed from the guard, where the guard is spaced at a greater distance, its length should be increased; and preferably increased proortional. .This is indicated by the diagram in Fig. 2, where the guard 16 is shown as projectin a greater distance beyond the edge of the bIade 19, than the guard 17 projects from the edge of the blade 18; such distances being measured in the plane of the blade; the line (1 indicating the length of the guard 17, and the line a, indicating the length of the guard 16. The two brokenlines b and c.

are drawn to indicate planes passing through same in bothcases, notwithstanding the cutting edge being nearer the guard at one side than at the other.

The handle 32 can be secured to the holder, in any suitable manner, and preferably is adjustably attached so that the angle of the cutting edge relative to the handle can be varied as desired. In the form illustrated,

the handle is shown as adjustable in any posi tion between certain angular limits, in a plane perpendicular to the cut-ting edges of the blade. The ortion 15 of the holder is provided with a s otj33 at its middle portion that extends transversely to the guard por tions. The handle 32 is provided with a threaded member that screws into an end member carried in the trough and is slidable in the opening. The nut member is permanently attached to the trough member and the handle member can be screwed into and removed from the nut member. When screwed up tight the handle member is locked in position, but to adjust the handle member it is only necessary to loosen the end nut, then swing the handle and connected end member to the desired angle,-.and then screw the handle up tight again. In the construction illustrated, the tubular handle member 32 has a screw portion 34 permanently connected therewith, that comprises a screw 35 and a sleeve 36. The nut member as shown comprises an apertured curved block 3? having the convex side curved to fit the bottom of the trough portion 15 a collar 38 having a face 39 curved to engage the outer side of the trough member '15 and an internally threaded sleeve 40 having a flange 41. The sleeve v40 is passed through the opening 33 and locked in the block 37 with the collar 38 loosely carried on the outer flange portion of the nut member, whereby it is freely movable in' the o ening 33, yet cannot be removed from t e holder. The handle is attached by its screw 35 being screwed into the threaded bore of the sleeve 40, and when screwed up tight the end of the sleeve portion 36 will engage the sleeve 38 loosely carried by the nut member, and cause this sleeve to be pressed between the sleeve 36 and the trough member 15, whereby the handle is securely locked in position.

From this construction it will be seen that the lather and hair not only can readily pass through the guard portion, but between the guard portion and the blade, directly into the trough portion of the holder. And such mat'te'rcan be readily removed therefrom by holding it under a spigot or passing it through water, that will pass in one side through the guard and force the lather and hair out the opposite side." Hence there is no possibility of the lather and hair clogging the blade. It will also be seen that there are 'no cavities to collect the lather and which would be diflicult to clean. By removal of the blade every part is readily accessible, and can be at once cleaned by the application ofv water. The only movable part for securing the blade is the spring clip, and this is normally held adjacent the end member of the'trough. Furthermore, the device is very simple and economical of construction, consisting practically of the trough member comprising'a curved plate with two end plates rigidly secured thereto, these having overhangin lip portions at 0pposite sides and a spring t at is a single member permanently secured on the inside of one of the end members for engaging the blade. The blade for use in this razor is a rectangular member with a projection, or lug at the middle portion of each'end, and one or two openings therein. 7

The form of blade herein set forth is not claimed in this application but forms subject matter of a co-pendingapplication filed by me March 30th, 1908, Serial No. 423,998.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A safety razor, comprising a holder member having a guard portion and having a rigid 'sup orting member at each end pro vided wit a lip projecting toward the other member, a blade having an opening therein and being engaged by said lip portions at its end portions respectively, and a springmember carried by the holder and projecting upwardly into the opening in the blade to yieldably retain the blade with its end portions engaged by said lips. 1

2. A safety razor, comprising a holder member having a guard portion and having a rigid supporting member at each end rovided with a lip projecting toward theother member, a blade having an opening therein and being engaged by said lip portions at its end portions respectively, and a spring member carried by the holder and projecting upwardly into the opening in the blade to yieldably. retain the blade with its end portions engaged by said lips' and with one end wall of the blade pressed into engagement with the holder member.

3. A safety razor, comprising a holder member having a guard portion and having a rigid supporting member at each end provided with spaced lips projecting toward the other member, a blade having an opening projecting u wardly'into the opening in the blade to yie dably retain the blade with its end portions engaged by said lips and'with one end face of the blade pressedinto enmember at each end provided with'a end portions engaged by said lips, the blade .having lugs projecting between the spaced hp parts.

5. A safety razor, comprising a substantially trough shaped holder member having a guard portion and having a rigid supporting 1p rojecting toward the other member, ab ade having an opening therein and being engaged by said lip portions at its end portions-respectively, and a spring member carried by t e holder and projecting upwardly into the opening in the blade to yieldably retain the plade with its end portions engaged by said 6. A safety razor, comprising a substantially trough shaped holder member having a guard portion and having a rigid sup orting member at'each end provided with a lip projecting toward the other member, a blade having an opening therein and being engaged by said lip portions at its end portions respectively, and a spring member carried by t e holder and projecting u wardly into the opening in the bladeto yie dably retain the blade with its end portions engaged by said lips and with one end wall of the blade pressed into engagement with the holder member.

7. A safety razor comprising a blade having an opening adjacent one end and having projecting portions at the middle of each end, a holder having a guard portion, the holder havin end members each provided with upward y projecting portions at each end thereof that are undercut to receive the end portions of the blade, and a spring member on the holder engaging the blade at its said-opening to yieldably press the blade at one end agalnst the undercut portions of the holder.

8. A safety razor comprising a blade having an opening adjacent to each end, a holder having a guard portion, the holder having endmembers provided with spaced up- I wardly projecting portions at each end thereof that areundercut to receive the respective end portions of the blade on each side of the blade projections, and a spring member on the holder engaging the blade at its said opening to yieldably press the blade at one end against the undercut portions of the holder, the blade having projecting portions at the intermediate part of each end fitting between the said projecting portions of the holder. U

9. A safety razor comprising a blade having an opening adjacent one end and having projecting portions at the middle of each end, a substantially trough-shaped holder having a guard portion, the holder having transverse end members provided withi.

spaced upwardly projecting portions at each end thereof that are undercut to receive the respective end portions of the blade on each side of the blade projections, and a spring member on the holder engaging the blade at its said opening to yieldably press the blade at one end wall against the undercut portion of the holder, the blade having projecting portions at the intermediate part of each end fitting between the said projecting portions of the holder.

10. A safety razor, comprising a holder member having guard portions on opposite sides, and a rigid supporting member at each end provided with a lip projecting toward the other member, a blade having an opening therein at each end and being engaged by said lip portions at its end portions respectively, and a spring member carried by the holder and projecting upwardly into one of the o enings in the blade to yieldably retain the b ade with its end portions engaged by said lips, said blade openings being symmetrically arranged to permit reversal endwise of the blade.

11. A safety razor comprising a blade having cutting edges on two opposite sides, the blade having'an opening at each end and having projecting portions at the middle of pos te sides, the holder having a transverse end member provided with spaced upwardly projecting portions at each end thereof that are undercut to receive the respective end ortions of the blade on each side of the lade rojections and a spring member on the ho der engaging the blade at one of said openings therein'to yieldably press the blade at one end wall against the undercut portion of the holder, the blade having the projecting portions fitting between the said projecting portions of the holder, the'openings 1n the lade being symmetrically arranged to permit reversal endwise of the blade in the holder.

12. A safety razor comprising cutting means, and a holder having guard portions and engaging means permanently fixed with relation to the cutting means to position said cutting means, said holder having its guard means, and a-holder provided with guard ortions and engaging means permanently ed. with relation to the cutting meansthereby to position said cutting means, said holder having its engaging means arranged differently relative to its guard ortionsto locate the cutting means on the older with one cutting edge spaced or offset a greater distance from the guard portion than another cutting edge is spaced or offset from its cooperating guard portion.

14. A safety razor com rising cutting means, and a holder providbd with guard portions and engaging means permanently fixed with relation to the cutting =means thereby to position said cutting means, said holder having its engaging means arranged differently relative to its guard portions to locate the cutting means on the holder with one guard portion projecting beyond its 00- operating cutting edge a greater distance than the other guard portion proj'ects'beyond its cooperating cutting edge.

15. A safety razor comprising cutting means and a holder having a plurality of guard portions and engaging means to position said cutting means, said holder having one of its guard portions of greater length than another with relation to said positioning means and one located below another with relation to a plane passing through the edges of such cutting means.

. 1 6. A safety razor comprising cutting me ans and a holder provided with guard portions and with engaging means to position such cutting-means, said holder having its ositioning means arranged differently relative to its guard portions to locate the cutting means on the holder with one guard portion projecting beyond its 006 crating cutting edge a greater distance than t e other guard portion projects beyond its cooperating cutting edge, the guard portion that projects the greater distance rom its cutting edge being spaced or offset from the cuttin edge a greater distance than;

the other guard portion is spaced orofiset from its cutting edge. I V

17. A safety razor comprising a holder having a pair of guard portions and blade positioning means, and a two-edged blade, said holder having its guard portions located differently with relation to each other and said blade positioning means, the cutting angles of the blade with relation to such guard portions being the same, at both s des thereof and remaining constant notwithstanding the different locations of said guard portions.

18. A safety razor comprising a holder having a pair of guard portions and blade positioning means, and a twoedged blade, said holder having one of its guard portions of greater length than the other with relation to said blade positioning means, the longer guard portion being located below the other with relation to a plane passing through the blade edges, thereby to provide a greater space between the blade and its guard portion at one side of the razor than is provided at the other, the greater the s ace between the guard portion and the bla e the greater the length of said guard portion.

19. A safety razor comprising a holder and reversible cutting means, reversible to permit either side face to be contiguous to the holder, said holder having its guard portions located differently with relation to the cutting edges of said cutting means, but each maintainingthe same relation to the cutting means on t e reversal thereof, whereby the same side of the razor will always give a closer shave.

20. A safety razor comprising a holder, and a two-edged reversible blade, reversible to permit either side face tov be contiguous to the holder, said holder having a pair of guard portions one located a greater distance below one edge of the blade than the'other guard portion is located below the other edge of said blade, but each maintaining the same relation to the blade onlthe reversal thereof, whereby the same side of the razor will always give a closer shave.

' 21. A safety razor comprising a-holder having blade engaging and positioning means, and a two-edged, reversible blade, reversible to permit either side face to be contiguous to the holder, said-holder having a pair of guard portions one extending outwardly a greater distance from the blade positioning means than does the other guard portion, but each maintainingthe same relation to the blade on the reversal thereof, whereby the same side of the razor will always give a closer shave.

22. A safety razor comprising a holder having a pair of guard portions, and a reversible, two-edged, symmetrical blade removably secured thereto and reversible to permit either sideface to be contiguous to the holder, said guard portions being located differently with relation to each other and with relation to the blade, therebyv to form an unsymmetrical holder, the organization being such that this different relation of the guard portions is permanently maintained regardless of whatever way theblade is inserted in the holder, so that the same side. of the razor will always give a closer shave than the other side thereof.

23. A safety razor comprising a holder having a pair of guard portions and blade metrical blade, reversible to permit either side face to be contigiious to the holder, said ocated below the ot er guard ortion rela tive to a plane passing throug the blade ed es, thereby to form an unsymmetrical ho der, whereby the space between the blade and its guard atone side is greater than the space at the other side, but each of which spaces is permanently maintained regard less of whatever way the blade is inserted in the holder, so that the same side of the razor will always give a closer shave than the other.

24. In a safety razor, a blade having a pair of oppositely arranged cutting edges, and a holder provided with means located transversely of the ends for securing the blade thereto, the blade being so positioned with relation to such holder that onecutting edge is offset or spaced from the adjacent portion of the holder a permanent, predetermined, greater distance than the other edge is offset or spaced from its adjacent portion of the holder.

25. In a s'afety razor, ablade, a substantially trough-shaped? holder having guard portions, means ontheiholder for securing a blade thereto with its cutting edges adjacent the guard portions, the holder" having a transverse opening in its trough portion, and a handle member having adjustable securing means passing through said opening, .whereby the handle can be adjusted in a plane perpendicular t0 the cutting edges of theblade.

26.1 In a safety razor, ablade, asubstantially trough-shaped holder having means for securing the blade thereto with its cutting edges adjacent the guard portions, the aving a transverse opening in the trough portion, anut member secured to the holder and slidable in said opening, and a handle member having a threaded portion adapted to screw into the nut member and thereby be secured to theholder in adjusted positions.

27. A safety razor comprising cutting means having several cutting edges, and a holderhaving means for securing the cutting means thereto and having guard portions,

thecutting means and guard portions having a prearranged, permanent, fixed relation relatively to each other with one cutting edge offset or spaced'from the top of its adjacent guard portion of. the holder a greater distance than another edge oi the cutting means is oflset from the top of its adjacent guard portion of said holder.

28.- A safety razor comprising cutting means having several cutting edges, and a holder provided with means for securing such cutting means thereto and having guard ortions, the cutting means being so set wit relation to such guard portions that just'm'ent or Vflexure of such edge, spaced or guard portion than any-other cutting edge -is spaced or ofls'et from its guard portion.

thereto and having guard-portions, the blade and guard portions being so positioned with itscutting'edgeS spaced or ofiset a greater distance from its guard portion than any other cutting edge is spaced or offset from cutting edge .that is ofiset or spaced the greater distance projecting beyond such edge to a greater extent than any other guard portion projects beyond its cooperating cut ting edge.

30. A safety razor comprising a reversible blade having opposite cutting edges,and a holder provided with means for securing the blade thereto and having guard portions, the blade and guard portions having a prearranged, permanent, fixed relation so that on the reversal of the blade either ofits cutting edges will bespaced or ofiset a greater disthe other cutting edge is spaced or oflset from its guard portion. I

31; A safety razor comprising a holder members forming opposed sockets, and a blade extending into such sockets, the end walls of the sockets beingspaced a greater distance apart than the length of the blade wise movement of the blade in the sockets for the insertion and removal ofsuch blade.

having oppositely located, rigid, recessed end members forming opposed sockets, ablade extending into such sockets, the end walls of the sockets being spaced a greater distance socket-engaging portions to-permit endwise insertion and removal of such blade, and means for holding the blade against endwise :movement.

33. A safety razor comprising a holder members forming opposed sockets, a blade extending into such sockets, the end walls of apart than the length of the blade atits socket-engaging portions to permit endwise movement of the blade in the sockets for the insertion and'removal of such blade, and resilient means for holding the blade against endwise movement.

34,. A safety razor comprising a holder having oppositely located, rigid, recessed end oflset a greater distance from its adjacent 2,9, A safety razor, comprising a blade having" several cutting edges, an'd a holderprovided with means for securing the blade relation to each other that the blade may be set, Without adjustment thereof, with any of its guard portion, the guard portion for the tance from its adjacent guard portion than having oppositely located, rigid, recessed end 32. A' safety razor comprising a holderapart than the length of' the blade at its having oppositely located, rigid, recessed endany iof itscutting edges maybe, without adat its socket-engaging portions to permit end- -movement ofthe blade in the sockets for the.

the sockets beingspaced a greater distance members forming opposed sockets, and a blade extending into such sockets, the end Walls of the sockets spaced a greater distance apart than the length of the blade at its socket-en aging portions to permit movement of t e blade in the sockets for the insertion and removal of such blade, one of the sockets having greater depth than the other thereby to permit the insertion of one blade I end a suflicient distance to enable the oppo- 10 site blade end to be brought to register With and to have endwise movement intoits socket.

RICHARD REED.

Witnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, GUSTAV DREWS. 

